Claude Halsey
Claude Halsey
Claude Halsey
1889-1955
1889-1955
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
It is likely that much was expected of Claude Halsey when he began his career on the Flat in 1904. His father, Billy, was the leading dual-purpose jockey of the period, having won the 2,000 Guineas, finished second in the Grand National and also been champion National Hunt jockey.
It is likely that much was expected of Claude Halsey when he began his career on the Flat in 1904. His father, Billy, was the leading dual-purpose jockey of the period, having won the 2,000 Guineas, finished second in the Grand National and also been champion National Hunt jockey.
Born in 1889, Claude was apprenticed to Frank Hunt, who trained at Winchester, and had his first ride when finishing unplaced on Coxcomb in the Bury Handicap at Newmarket on July 14, 1904. It was only nine days later that he had his first success when Bridle-Road, owned and trained by Hunt, won the Thames Handicap at Windsor.
Born in 1889, Claude was apprenticed to Frank Hunt, who trained at Winchester, and had his first ride when finishing unplaced on Coxcomb in the Bury Handicap at Newmarket on July 14, 1904. It was only nine days later that he had his first success when Bridle-Road, owned and trained by Hunt, won the Thames Handicap at Windsor.
He rode seven winners in 1905, the first of them aboard Brosy Lass on Easter Monday at Birmingham in a dead-heat with George McCall’s mount Sweet Nothings.
He rode seven winners in 1905, the first of them aboard Brosy Lass on Easter Monday at Birmingham in a dead-heat with George McCall’s mount Sweet Nothings.
Thereafter, progress was slow and by the end of 1907 he had ridden just 15 winners. His only victory that year, and his last in Britain, was on Waveline in the Eglinton Handicap at Bogside on July 17. He then went to France and between 1908 and 1912 enjoyed some success before rising weight finally beat him.
Thereafter, progress was slow and by the end of 1907 he had ridden just 15 winners. His only victory that year, and his last in Britain, was on Waveline in the Eglinton Handicap at Bogside on July 17. He then went to France and between 1908 and 1912 enjoyed some success before rising weight finally beat him.
During his years in France, he returned to England briefly in 1910, having his last ride at Newmarket on April 28, when he partnered Donadieu, who finished fourth in the Two-Year-Old Plate.
During his years in France, he returned to England briefly in 1910, having his last ride at Newmarket on April 28, when he partnered Donadieu, who finished fourth in the Two-Year-Old Plate.
Claude Halsey died on December 29, 1955.
Claude Halsey died on December 29, 1955.
Claude Halsey’s British winners were, in chronological order:
Claude Halsey’s British winners were, in chronological order:
1. Bridle-Road, Windsor, July 23, 1904
1. Bridle-Road, Windsor, July 23, 1904
2. St Trumpet, Gatwick, August 27, 1904
2. St Trumpet, Gatwick, August 27, 1904
3. Leslie Carter, Kempton Park, October 8, 1904
3. Leslie Carter, Kempton Park, October 8, 1904
4. Brosy Lass, Birmingham, April 24, 1905 (dead-heat)
4. Brosy Lass, Birmingham, April 24, 1905 (dead-heat)
5. Yankee Duchess, Sandown Park, April 28, 1905
5. Yankee Duchess, Sandown Park, April 28, 1905
6. License, Harpenden, May 27, 1905
6. License, Harpenden, May 27, 1905
7. Bonanza, Lewes, June 8, 1905
7. Bonanza, Lewes, June 8, 1905
8. Cleeve, Birmingham, July 1, 1905
8. Cleeve, Birmingham, July 1, 1905
9. Alyth, Worcester, October 19, 1905
9. Alyth, Worcester, October 19, 1905
10. Arazina, Lingfield Park, October 21, 1905
10. Arazina, Lingfield Park, October 21, 1905
11. Tyntesfield, Gatwick, May 18, 1906
11. Tyntesfield, Gatwick, May 18, 1906
12. Sea Gal, Bath, May 22, 1906
12. Sea Gal, Bath, May 22, 1906
13. Aid, Wolverhampton, June 4, 1906
13. Aid, Wolverhampton, June 4, 1906
14. b. or br. f. by Flying Hackle out of Brown Molly, Edinburgh, September 28, 1906
14. b. or br. f. by Flying Hackle out of Brown Molly, Edinburgh, September 28, 1906
15. Waveline, Bogside, July 17, 1907
15. Waveline, Bogside, July 17, 1907
William died on Thursday 29 December 1955
William died on Thursday 29 December 1955
